GOP’s Tom Petri won’t seek reelection

GOP Rep. Tom Petri of Wisconsin will not seek reelection this year, a Republican source confirmed to POLITICO. Petri has represented an east-central Wisconsin seat since 1979.

Last week, state Sen. Glenn Grothman announced he would challenge Petri in the August Republican primary, charging that the congressman has failed to slow the growth of the federal deficit and entitlement programs.

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Petri, a 73-year-old moderate House Republican, held a seat on the Education & Workforce Committee. His 6th District seat is very likely to remain in GOP hands: Mitt Romney carried it with 53 percent in 2012.